Banding machine



July 10, 1945. E. c. sLo'AN BANDING MACHINE Filed May a, 1944 "9Sheets-Sheet 1 Edward C JZadn "By p fforrzqg;

9 Sheets-Sh t g ward 6' E. C. SLOAN ANDING MACHINE Filed May 8 19 .mm .i

BANDING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 10, 19 45. E. C.sLoAN BANDING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 1% 1/e rz far,Edward C? 15300:]?

y 1945. E. c. SLOAN 2,379,937

BANDING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 y 45. E. c. SLOAN2,379,937

BANDING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1944 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Edward G. 5 0a July10, 1945.

E. c. SLOAN I 2,379,937 BANDING MACHINE 1 Filed May 8, 1944 9Sheets-Sheet 9 1'75. 18

fnz/eze {07' Edward CJ/aw v lori zqyes' Patented Jr 10, 1945 Edward (C.Sloan, Geneva, lfik, assignor to illscar Mayer a Co lino, Chicago, lit,a corporation of oils Application May t, ion, Serial hie. senses (oi. as-2) This invention relates to a packaging or banding machine and. hasfor one object to provide a machinecapable of placing bands of paper orother material about a series of generally round ed, elongated articlessuch as sausages. One object of the invention is, therefore, to providea machine for banding a continuous series of sausages.

Another object is to provide a machine for securing the sausagestogether in contact with each other, or substantially so.

A further object is to provide such a machine and means for securing thebands about the sausages, with one band relatively flat and the otherband looped about the sausages.

Another object is to provide, in connection with such a device, meansfor banding a series of sausages and for severing the bands atpredetermined intervals to form a package comprising a predeterminednumber of sausages handed together.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specificationand claims.

This invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of the device, with partsbroken away;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view inperspective, showing a series of sausages banded together;

Figure 4 is a. vertical, longitudinal section taken on an enlarged scaleat line t-t of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the banding mechanism housing, with theparts in position thereon;

Figure 6 is a. transverse, vertical section taken at line 6-6 of FigureFigure 10 is a fragmentary section, with parts I in elevation, taken atline Ill-Ill of Figure 4 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 11 is an elevation taken at line ll-H of Figure 4 on an enlargedscale;

Figure 12 is'a transverse section taken at line lz-s-l2ofFigure l1;

Figure 13 is a side elevation of a, portion of the driving mechanism ofthe banding device, taken on an enlarged scale on the opposite side oithe housing from that shown in Figure 1;

Figure M is a schematic wiring diagram of the circuit for driving theapparatus;

Figure 15 is a schematic wiring diagram of a portion of the heatingcircuit for the heating elements;

Figure 16 is a view generally similar to Figure 5, showing the parts ina modified position;

Figure 17 is a section similar to Figure 4, with parts omitted; and

t Figure 18 is a view generally similar to Figure 4, with parts omittedand showing parts addi tional to those shown in Figure 17..

Like parts are indicated by likecharacters throughout the specificationand the drawings,

In the particular form here shown, the banding mechanism is designed forbanding 0i sausages, although other articles of somewhat similar shapeand proportion could be equally well banded.

The mechanism generally comprises a base or support, means for feedinga. series of articles to a point where banding occurs, meansforsupplying at least two bands from different sources, and means forbringing the hands together, and for securing them together. In thisoperation at least one of the bands is looped or wrapped sub stantiallyabout each of said sausages. Means are also provided for severing bothbands after a predetermined number of sausages have been bandedtogether. I

As shown, the support comprises a table-like member having one or morelegs l which are joined by side members 2 and one or more transversemembers 3. A shelf i may be provided heneath the table and, if desired,a driving motor 5 may be mounted on the shelf or on a subframe 6. Aspeed-reducing gear assembly 1 is driven, by a shaft 8 from the motorthrough a coupling 9. A

pulley i0 is driven by the gear assembly and drives the motor. Theparticular details of the driving circuit and controls are not u tratedin full, as

these details form no essential part of the invention, which may becarried out by any structure in which means are provided for a motor andfor is provided with a member 26 in which is formed a notch ordepression to carry the sausage ll, as shown generally in the figuresand in detail in Figures 2 and 9. At one end the chains it are engagedin sprockets 22 which are mounted upon and driven by a shaft 2i. At theopposite end the chain is engaged with sprockets 23 which are carriedupon a shaft it. The shaft may have its 1 bearing in a member 26 whichis adjusted by a screw 26 to adjust the tension of the chains. The

particular drive of the chains is immaterial so long as the chains aredriven in the right direction and at a reasonable speed forsynchronization with the other parts of the total assembly.

A cover 21 may be provided at one end of the assembly to enclose thesprockets 23, and a guiding and limiting, member 28 may be placedalongside the chain opposite the platform it, as shown particularly inFigures 1 and 2.

Positioned so as to lie between the sprockets 22, as shown in plan inFigures 7 and 8, is a guiding member29 which is adlustably held inposition by a screw 80. At its opposite end the member is bifurcated, asat at, and is inclined upwardly, as shown for example in Figure 4.Adjacent the free ends of the bifurcations 3! is a fixed positioningmember 32 which is fastened to the general frame structure in anydesired manner. Adjacent its upper edge the member 32 is provided with acushion tli'which may be of rubber or similar material. The cushion ispositioned generally in line with the ends of the bifurcations 3 I.Extending downwardly and to the left, as shown in Figure 4, from themember 32 is a-sausage-' guiding and supporting member at. It terminatesin separated members 35 between which a clearance is provided for aconveying belt as which is driven by a drum 3i carried on a shaft 38. Atits opposite end the belt is positibned about a drum 39 carried on ashaft it which supported upon a table-like extension ii of thesausage-conveying assembly. Braces .12 may be provided to support themember for one as or the vertical frame parts i. Positioned along sideof the belt 86 may be surface members as,

as shown particularly in Figure 2. The mechanism thus far describedcomprises means for conveying sausages, for loading them into theconveyor, for moving them to a point of sealing and for conveying themaway from the sealing point. The sealing means will now be described.

The sealing means comprises generally means for supplying two strips ofweb material which may be paper or other more or less analogous materialand which will be referred to hereafter as tape or tapes. In addition tothe means for supplying-the tapes, the mechanism comprises means forforcing the two tapes together and for sealing them together. While manydiiferent forms of sealing may be used, the particular form here showninvolves the use of heatand for that purpose the tapes may be suppliedwith wax or other adhesive material which, upon the occur-- rence ofsuitable heat, will cause two such tapes to adheretogether. Means mayalso be provided with the sealing means or otherwise for perforating thetapes so that the tapes may be readily torn between sausages. A stillfurther means is provided, in connection with the sealing memher orassembly, whereby the tapes are totally severed after the sealing of apredetermined number of sausages. Thus, for example, six, twelve or moresausages may be sealed together in a unitary string or group, and thenthe group will be automatically severed from the following sausages andthe complete package will comprise a string of a predetermined number ofsausages banded together.

The means for supplying the tap comprises an upper reel M which ismounted for rotation upon an arm :35 and a lower reel d6 mounted forrota tion upon an arm ti. From the reel it an upper tape at is fed alonga guide 69 and through a guide to the point of use. A lower tape 5! isfed along a guide member 52 and under a guide member 53 across thecushion meinber 33 to a point of use. While many diiferent means may bearranged for controlling the feeding of the tapes, those shown aretypical of possible feeding means. The means for controlling and feedingthe upper tape will be described below.

The means for feeding the lower tape coinprises, in part, the drumpulley 3i and a detent member 5t which is adjustable by a spring 55against th lower tape 5|. This tape is fed to the discharge end of theapparatus by the drum bl. The sealing assembly comprises not merelymeans for bringing the two tapes together, and for sealing themtogether, but comprises also means for, in effect, Wrapping the uppertape substantially about the sausage while the lower tape remainssubstantially fiat. The sealing assembly also includes means for feedingthe sausages toward the discharge end as they are handed and sealedtogether.

an The sealing assembly proper comprises a housing within which oradjacent which a pair of heating coils bl, 51 is mounted. A rheostatisenclosed in the housing 58, preferably associated with the coils 5?,and a switch or lever 59 is associated with the rheostat. By means ofthis construction th heating coils may, if desired, be arranged to beturned ofi and on, and the degree oi heat oi. the coils may be varied..f-i telltale light ht is associated in the heating coil circuit and aseparate switch 6! may, if desired, also be inserted in the circuit. Asshownin Figure l, the telltale light 60 is enclosed in the housing and Vthe switch 6i is associated or mounted adjacent these parts forconvenience of operation. The details of the circuit and the conductorsby means of which electricity is conducted. to the heating coils and therheostat need not be described. It

is sufllcient for the purpose of this invention that conductors areprovided for conductin electricity to the heating coils and to therheostat if one is present. Obviously the coils might be designed sothat no rheostat is necessary.

Associated with the heating assembly member 56 is a blade 63 carried ona rod 64. A spring 65 tends to hold the blade in a raised or relativelyinactive position. It bears at one end against the housing 56 and at theother end against a collar v or stop 66 fixed upon the rod M. The blade63 is notched, as at El, so that its lower edge, if given one degree oftravel, will merely perforate the tapes, and if given another degree oftravel will totally sever the tapes. The housing 56 is Q secured to arelatively hollow member 68 which is itself fixed to or formedintegrally with the arms 69 which are loose on a shaft I0. While apairofhooks ltI.

bly and through each of the slots I in the links- Spacers I03 may or maynot be roller II2 adapted to contact the the rod 65 is mounted withinthe housing 56 and may move with it, it also has relative movement underthe influence of the arm ll. As shown, one end of this arm is pivoted,as at E2, to an enlargement I3 fixed to or formed as a part of the rod62. The arm H is pivoted at It on a pin which is fixed in the arms 69.The opposite end of the lever arm H is enlarged, as-at l5, and as shownin Figure 9, may contact a pin it seated in a collar Ill secured to theshaft it. A

tortional spring is which is positioned about the pin It tends, whenfree to do so, to raise the right- I hand end of the lever arm ll.Plvoted preferatiy between the arms 69, as at 22a, is a membercomprising two lever-like portions it. These members are joined by a pinto. Obviously a roller might be substituted for the pin. Each of themembers it is provided with a spring 2 i, tending normally to raise itagainst the stop 32, each of which is welded or otherwise secured to oneof the arms 69. A spring 23 is mounted at one end on a pin a l whichextends between the two sides of the housing tli. At its opposite end itis secured to a pin at and tends, when free to do so, to hold thesealing assembly and its associated parts in the raised position, asshown in Figure l, but is adapted to yield to permit lowering of thesealing assembly to the position shown in Figure 9. It has been statedabove that the shaft i2 is driven from the belt or chain M. This may bedone by a sprocket or by a pulley l 2, as shown in Figure 13. Fixed onthe shaft i2 is a cam 22 which, as shown, contacts the pin or roller atbetween the arms 19. One means for looping or wrapping the upper tapeabout the sausage includes a part it. This member is secured to a rod 89to which an arm 90 is fixed. A link 9!! is joined at one end of the arm93 and at its opposite end the'link 98 is pivoted to a lever 92 which isitself pivoted at 93. Rotatably mounted in an extension on the lever isa roller 92 arranged to contact a cam 95 which is fixed on the shaft l2.A spring at is secured at one end to the link at and at its opposite endto an abutment 9i and acts to hold v the roller t l constantly incontact with the cam 95 and correspondingly to move the link tidownwardly as far as the position of the cam per- A feeding andsausage-moving means additional to the chains is illustrated inelevation primarily in. Figures 4, 9 and 18. This means includes a pairof levers 9d pivoted on the mem ber 93; At their free ends each of thelevers has pivoted to it a link 99 slotted as at Nit. Fixed to the freeends of each of the links 99 is one of Extending across the assem- 99 isa rod I02.

positioned on the rod I02. The rod 302 passes through slots I04 in theside frame members I05 and is also carried in the lower ends of linksI06.- These links, at their upper ends, are pivoted in one end of alever arm I01, which is itself pivoted 0n the rod or pin 93. Theopposite end 'of the lever arm I01 is provided with a roller I00 whichis in contact with a cam I09. springs I I0 are secured, each at one endto the links I06 and at their opposite ends are secured to abutments I II. These springs hold the rollers I08'in contact with the cam or camsI09. One or more of the levers 98 may be provided with a cam II3 whichis fixed .upon the shaft I2.

Pivoted to one of the levers 98 is a tape feed One or more link i I4. Atits opposite end it is pivoted to a lever arm II5 which is fixed to arod IIB which itself extends through and is pivoted upon the side framemembers I05. The guide 49 is mounted on the rod H6 to rotate with itfrom the full line position of Figure 4 to the dotted line position ofFigure 18. It comprises a relatively flat member Ill which may or maynot be curved at its free end and which has one or more loops IIEthrough which the upper tape 48 passes. The

lower guide 50 above referred to may include a roller Ila yieldinglyheld against the tape by springs l2!) which bear upon the frame I 2I inwhich the roller'l i9 is pivoted.

The means for driving the conveyor belt 36 will now be described. Thesemeans are shown generally in Figure 13. As pointed out above, the

which is held in contact with the rollers i212 by a spring E22 which hasone end fixed to the lever ltd and its opposite end fixed to an abutmentE22. The cam carrier I22 may be provided with an enlarged roller-likehub I20 against which the lever i123 lies during a portion of therotation of the member H22. A spring l30 has one end fixed to the dogI25 and at the other end is fixed to the lever E25 to hold the dog incontact with the teeth of-a gear lill which is fixed on the shaft 25.Movement of the lever I26 in response to rotation of the cam carrier I22moves the dog back and forth over the teeth of the gear I3l and thusadvances the gear in a step by step movemerit;

lt'has been stated above that means are provided for operating the blade63 at a predetermined time to cause it completely to sever both of thetapes. Means are also provided for controlling the operation of theheating elements in the sealing and cutting assembly to preventunsatisfactory operation. These two controlling means are shown inFigure 5 in one position and in Figure 16 in another position and willnow be described. The schematic Wiring diagram of the heating circuit isshown in Figure 15. As there shown, the shaft I2 carries a cam I32. Aswitch I33 is shown in the circuit and a switch-operating member I32 isalso shown. 'The cam I32 in its rotation contacts the switch-operatingmember ltd and moves it to open the switch. Thus in e position of thecam and correspondingly in one position of the sealing and cuttingassembly,

the switch is so operated as to break the circuit of theheatingelements. One reason for this is to prevent burning of the cushion 33,the tapes, the sausage or any other part of the sealing assembly shouldit be stopped or held too long in the position of Figure 9. v

The cutting control means includes a lever I35 pivoted at I33 uponone.of the side frame members I05. It carries a dog-operating memberI31, an abutment member I38 and a roller I39. A spring I40 is attachedat one end to the lever I35 and at the other end to an abutment MI. Akeeper I42 may be provided to keep the lever I35 in proper alignment atall times.

A cam I43 is fixed on the shaft I2 and is in contact with the rollerI39, since the spring I40 holds the lever I35 and its associated partsin Fixed on the shaft I is a lever arm I45. Loose on the shaft I0 is acooperating left arm I85. The two left arms M6 and I45 are joinedtogether by an adjustable means I 56 so that their position may berelatively adjusted. The arm I45 is connected to the lever I35 by a linkIt'll. Loosely mounted on a supporting shaft I58 is a ratchet wheel I49.A hub I50 is fixed to the ratchet I59. -A spring II has one end mountedupon the abutment MI, is wrapped or positioned partially about the hubI50 and has its other end fixed at I52 upon the ratchet wheel I59. Thespring thus tends to rotate the ratchet wheel I58 in a counter-clockwisedirection as seen in Figures 5 and 16. The ratchet is rotated in aclockwise direction by the. pin I53'which is fixed in the hub I54 of thecam I53. Thus as the hub rotates in the clockwise direction the pin,with each rotation of the hub, strikes a tooth of the ratchet I49 androtates it in the clockwise direction'against the resistance of thespring I5 I. The dog I55 rides over the tooth during the clockwisedirection and under the influence of the spring I56 returns to thelatching position and holds the ratchet wheel against reverse movementunder the influence of the spring I5I. The dog I55 is pivoted at I51upon one of the side frame members I05.

A stop member I58 is pivoted at I59 on one of the side frame membersI05. A spring I60 normally urges one of its legsIIiI against a stop I62which is fixed in the same side frame member I05. The abutment I38strikes the stop I58 in the upward movement of the lever I35 and limitsthat movement. A pin I63 which is fixed in the ratchet wheel I49contacts the leg IIiI of the stop I58, as shown in Figure 16, and movesthe stop out of line with the abutment I38. When that occurs, a, greaterupward movement of the lever I35 may occur. When that movement occurs,the member I31 raises the dog I55 out of latching engagement with theteeth of the ratchet Hi9 and permits the ratchet to move in thecounter-clockwise. direction under the influence of the spring I5I. Theraised position of the dog is shown in dotted lines in Figure 16. Theamount of counterclockwise movement which is given to the ratchet I49 isdetermined by the setting of the adjust ment arm I64. This arm as shownis pivoted on the shaft I48 and includes a notched member I55 into whichthe pin I63 fits upon the counterclockwise movement of the ratchet. Thisnotched member acts as a stop for the pin H3. The adjustmer'it arm I64may be provided with a socket I66 within which a spring or some othermeans not shown is mounted. A pin I6! is mounted in the socket I66 andis normally held in the inward positon by the spring. A knob IE8 isprovided for pulling out the member IB'I. By this means the member I64may be moved into adjusted position and the pin I51 may be seated in anyof the perforations or other seating positions shown in Figure 5 andnumbered from II to I6, inclusive. There might obviously be any numberof such seating positions.

A final or extreme stop member I69 is provided on the side frame memberI05 and the handle portion I64 may be seated against that stop. It willbe noted that the teeth of the ratchet I49 are cut away, as at I10.

Since the lever I44 is fixed to the shaft I0, movement of that leveroscillates the shaft. So long as the abutment I38 contacts the stop I58the movement is slight, and it is only sufficient to carry the blade 63a short distance outside of the housing 58, suiiiciently to accomplishperforation of the tapes, but not severing. When the stop I58 has beenmoved out of line with the abutment I58 the lever I makes a greaterstroke and gives a, greater movement to the shaft I0, thus raising thepin I5 which is fixed with relation to the shaft I0 and through themember I5. This movement acts on the lever II which is pivoted to theblade carrier and gives the blade 53 a greater downward movement andthus completely severs both bands.

When only perforation of the tape is to occur the handle I55 is movedinto contact with the stop I55. With the parts in that position, whenthe ratchet I55 is moved counter-clockwise by the spring I5I, the stoppin I55 is received inthe.

notched member I55 and in this position the cut away portion I75 lies inthe path of the pin I53 and the in can contact any of the teeth of theratchet and hence-further rotation of the pin is without efiect on theratchet until the latter is reset into one of the adjusted positions.When this is done, the ratchet wheel is rotated in a clockwise directionand the cut away portion I10 is moved so that thereafter the pin I53, inits further rotation, will strike one of the teeth of the ratchet, anhence .the cycle of operations above described can be repeated.

Although I have shown an operative form of my invention, it will berecognized that many changes in the form, shape and arrangement of partscan be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and myshowing is therefore to be taken as, in' a sense, diagrammatic.

The use and. operation of this invention are as follows:

In general, the operation comprises the steps of putting the sausagesonto the conveying chains, particularly onto the notches formed in themembers I8, conveying the sausages to the point of sealing by means ofthe chain, then transferring the sausages from the chain and the sausagecarriers to the point of sealing, moving the sealing assembly andassociated parts downwardly, and thus moving the sausage slightly beyondthe point of sealing, and at the same time wrapping the upper tape abouta larger part of the diameter of the sausage. After this has occurred,the sealing assembly moves downat this time.

wardly sumciently to perforate the tape by means of the blade 53. Sincethe sealing assembly is heated and since the tapes are provided withheat-sealing adhesive, they are sealed together Obviously theperforating step might be omitted if desired. Other sealing means can beused.

The sausages are then 'moved away from the point of scaling in acontinuous package of varying length. The package comprises, of course,the lower tape, the sausages positioned on it, and the upper tapewrapper about the sausages positioned at intervals against the lowertape and sealed to it. The auxiliary carrying belt 36 assists in thefurther movement of the completed sausage package. For some purposes theconveying efiect on the sausage about to be sealed is sufficient to movethesausages already. sealed because, as pointed out below, the sealingassembly and parts associated with it force the sausage slightly beyondthe sealing point, and this successive forcing of each sausage istransmitted to the previously sealed sausages, because they are'allsecured to the same tapes and are in actual or substantial contact witheach other.

In the particular form here shown, adiustable aerate? means are providedfor severing the bands or tapes at predetermined intervals so that apaclz- The chains l8 are ordinarily given a continu- .ous movement sothat the sausages are continuous. Since a slight time interval isreguired to accomplish sealing, the sausages, after they have beenremoved from the notches in the members it, remain stationary for a.brief period. To accommodate for this brief stopping, the conveyor it,if positively driven, is driven in a step by step or interruptedmovement. This is accomplished by the mechanism shown in Figure 13. Asthere shown, the cam carrier i 22 rotates with the shaft in and witheach half revolution one oi the rollers its strikes the lever lit andthus oscillates the link ltd and moves it in a clock-- As shown in I forcausing complete severance of the .tapes or hands comprises in general aratchet, a means for rotating it,-a means for holding it in effectiverotated or advanced position and a means for releasing it upon thecompletion of a predetermined number of advanced steps. Further meansare provided for causing the'complete severance to occur when theratchet is released after the predetermined number of steps have beencompleted.

The lever lit is given slight oscillations with each. rotation of thecam its which is fixed on the shaft it. These oscillations through thelink t ll and the adjustable lever its cause an oscillation of the shaftit. The stop too, so long wise direction, as shown in Figure 13, and bymeans of the doglit advances the ratchet tilt and the shaft to a limiteddistance.

The reverse movement of the levertilt carries the dog over the teeth ofthe ratchet ltl into position for the next forward movement of theratchet and, correspondingly, for the next for ward movement of theconveyor belt As above mentioned, means are provided for positivelymoving the sausage after it has left the notch in the member ill. Thesemeans inelude primarily the member llll, which is ca ried on the linklit from lever These parts are shown in their downward position inFigures 4 and i8 and in their raised position in a dotted lines inFigure 18. This movement occurs with rotation of the shaft iii and iscaused by the contact of the roller ill with the cam l l The movement isalso controlled by the action of the lever lil'l which raises andcontrols the J linlr litthrough the means or the limit tilt in the leverHill which is oscillated througl'l the con tact of the roller lot withthe cam tilt which is also on the shaft ll. The members shown generallyin Figures t an 9 and detail in Figure ll, act as keepers to preventmisplacemerit of the sausage after it has been moved into position forsealing by the part Bill.

The me for actuating the keepers so are shown in Figure l? and. includethe lever 92, the linl: ti and the arm fill, all of which act to rotatethe shaft or upon which the keepers tit are posh tioned. fi'he lever atis oscillated through con tact of the roller til with the cam on.

The sealing assembly itself, including the hous ing lit, the heatingcoils all, the heating coil switch it and the blade ti, is raised andlowered by the movement of the cam tl which contacts the roller at. Theroller so is carried on the member it which is pivoted on the arm til tothe extension to to which the housing bit is secured. Movement of thecam 87! causes these parts to rise and fall from the positionof figureto that of Figure 9. After the housing ht has reached the sealingposition, further movement oi the arm "ii is permitted by its mountingon the member so and by the spring which is positioned about the rod to.

Ordinarily the movement downward of the rod t t, and with it the blade83, is only sumcicnt to move the points 67] outwardly beyond the housingto and thus to cause perforating. The greater movement of the bladeaccomplishes complete cutting of the tapes by means of the mechanismillustrated in detail in Figures 5 and 16, and this will next bedescribed.

as it remains in the-position oi Figure 5, will limit the upwardoscillation oi'the lever lit, and the lever cannot move to the fullupper limit, as indicated in dotted es in Fimire 16, until the stop itshas been moved to the position of Fig ure is. Then the spring its isfree to raise the lever to the full upward position and to give asubstantially increased oscillation m the shaft it.

As the shaft it rotates, carrying with it the several cams which arefined upon it, the pin I53 rotates in counter-clockwise direction andwith each rotation strikes a tooth oi the ratchet i it and moves it inclockwise direction. The dog retains the ratchet in each successiveadvanced position. he the ratchet is advanced, the

spring lot is additionally wrapped about the hub and its tension isincreased. The successive step by step clochwise movement of the ratchetMil will continue until the pin tilt on it strikes the arm till andmoves the stop llitl to the dotted line position oi Figure in and timepermits the lever lllli to rise, since the abutment Ethanol the. stoplilo are no longer in alignment.

When the lever its rises to the dotted line position of Figure it", thedog" lit? is hunched out of engaging position by the member lot. Theratchet is therefore no longer held in its advanced position and it isreturned in a coterclochwise direction byv the action oi the springHill. The

limit oi its return movement is established by the adjustment or thenotched member hit. irositiohs oi adjustment as shown in Figures 5 and16 are provided and the location of the notch member determines thedecree of return move ment of the ratchet. Since the ratchet is advancedone tooth each time the sealing assembly is reciprocatecl, the settingof the return control means for the ratchet may rea be coordinated withthe number or sausages banded. Thus if it is desired to sever the handsafter twelve sausages have been handed, the pin itl orthe handle ith isseated in the perforation marked 12" and the machine is started. Twelvesausages will be handed, by twelve reciprocations of. the sealingassembly, and then the stop ltd will he moved out of position, the levertilt will rise to its upper limit and will give the shaft it anadditional rotation or oscillation which accomplishes the furthermovement of the bis 83 and thus the complete cutting or the toms.

' If the pin ltl is seated against the stop ltt, the cut-away portionlit of the ratchet will be brought into position, where the rotation ofthe pin use will merely pass through the cut-away portion withoutcontacting or advancing the ratchet. When the parts are thus adjusted,no t l ti of the tapes will occur and the mechanism will merely operateto make a. long 1 d and 16, the mechanism i the feeding means and tomove them to the point of attachment, band attachingmeans including anassembly, and means for raising and lowering the assembly and forcausing it to attach one of said bands to the other band, said assemblyincluding means for attaching said bands, means for perforating saidbands, and means for cutting said bands, and driving means adapted tomove said assembly toward and from the point of attachr nent.

2. In combination in a banding machine for .securing together aplurality of elongated articles, means for supplying, along separate andconverging paths, two elongated bands of flexible web material, meansfor conveying progressively a plurality of said articles to a pointbetween said band, means for placing said articles and retaining themfor a predetermined time interval at a point of band attachment, saidmeans including parts adapted to take said articles from their conveyorand to move them to the point of attachment, band attaching meansincluding an assembly, and means for raisingand lowering the assemblyand for causing it to attach one of said bands to the other band, saidassembly including heating means, means for perforating said bands, andmeans for cuttin said bands, and driving means adapted to move saidassembly toward and from the pointof attachment, said perforating andcutting means being movable within saidassembly, and members forcontrolling the movement of said perforating and cutting means.

3. In combination in a banding machine for securing together a pluralityof elongated articies, means for supplying, along separate andconverging paths, two elongated bands of flexible web material, meansfor conveyin progressively a plurality of said articles to a pointbetween said bands, means for placing said articles and retaining themfor a predetermined time interval at a point of band attachment, saidmeans including parts adapted to take said articles from theirconveyorand to move them to the point of attachment, band attaching meanincluding an assembly, and means for raising and lowering the assemblyand for causing it to attach one of said bands to the other band, saidassembly including heating, means, means for perforating said bands, andmeans for cutting said bands, and driving means adapted to move saidassembly toward and from the point of at-- tachment, said perforatingand cutting means bein movable within said assembly, and members forcontrolling the movement of said perforating and cutting means, saidcontrolling means including parts adapted to cause said i perforatingand cutting means, at a predetermined time, to make an increasedmovement whereby the bands are out.

4. In combination in a banding machine for securing together a pluralityof elongated articles, means for supplying, along separate andconverging paths, two elongated bands of flexible web material, meansfor conveying progressively a plurality of said articles to a pointbetween said bands, means for placing said articles and retaining themfor a predetermined time interval at a point of band attachment, saidmeans including parts adapted to take ,said articles from their conveyorand to move them to the point of attachment, band attaching meansincluding an assembly, and means for raising and lowering the as- Vsembly and for causing it to attach one of said bands to the other band,said assembly including .heating means, means for perforating saidbands,

and means for cutting said bands, and driving means adapted to move saidassembly toward and from the point of attachment, and conveying meansfor moving the banded articles progressively in a step by step movementaway from the point of attachment.

"5, In combination in a banding machine for securing together aplurality of elongated articles, means for supplying, along separate andconverging paths, two elongated bands of flexible web material, means"for conveying progressively a plurality of said articles to a pointbetweensaid bands, means for placing said articles and retaining themfor a predetermined time interval at a point of band attachment, saidmeans including parts adapted to take said articles from their conveyorand to move them to and hold them at the point of attachment, bandattaching means including an assembly, and means fpr raising andlowering the assembly and for causing it to attach one of said bands tothe other band, said assembly including heating means, means forperforating said bands, and means for cutting said bands, and drivingmeans adapted to movesaid assembly toward and from the point ofattachment.

'6. In combination in a banding machine for securing together aplurality of elongated articles, means for supplying, along separate andconverging paths, two elongated bands of flexible web material, meansfor conveying progressively a plurality of said articles to apointbetween said bands, means for placing said articles and retaining themfor apredetermined time interval at a point of band attachment, saidmeans including parts adapted to take said articles from their conveyorand to move them to the point of attachment, band attaching meansincluding an assembly, and means for raising and lowering the assemblyand for causing it .to move one of said bands substantially about one ofsaid articles and to attach one of said bands to the other band, saidassembly including heating means, means for perforating said bands, andmeans for cutting said bands, and driving means adapted to move said 7.In combination in a banding machine for securing together a plurality ofelongated articles, means for supplying, along separate and convergingpaths, two elongated bands of flexible web material, means for conveyingprogressively a plurality of said articles to a point between saidbands, means for placing said articles and retaining them'for apredetermined time interval at a point of band attachment, said meansincluding parts adapted to take said articles from their conveyor and tomove them to and hold them at the point of attachment, band attachingmeans including an assembly, and means for raising and loweringtheassembly and for causing it to move one of said bands substantiallyabout one of saidassess? articles to a point between said bands, meansfor placing said articles and retaining them for a predetermined timeinterval at a point of band attachment, said means including partsadapted to take said articles from their conveyor and to move them toand hold them at the point of attachment, band attaching means includingan 1 assembly, and means for raising and lowering the assembly and forcausing it to move one of said bands substantially about one of saidarticles and to attach one of said bands to the other band,

said assembly including heating means, means for perforating said bands.and means for cutting said bands, and driving means adapted to move saidassembly toward and from the point of attachment, said perforating andcutting means being movable within said assembly, anolmemhers forcontrolling the movement or said perforating and cutting means, saidcontrolling means including parts adapted to cause said perforatin andcutting means, at a predetermined time, to malre an increased movementwhereby the bands are cut.

9. In combination in a banding machine for securing together a pluralityof elongamd articles of generally rounded cross section, means forsupplying, along separate andconverging paths, two

elongated bands of flexible web materiel, means for conveyingprogressively a plurality of said articles to a. point between saidhandle, means sembly including a housing, a blade therein and means tormoving said blade out of said housing to a greater or less degree, saidblade mounted to move with said housing. there being additional meansfor moving said blade with respect to said housing. a

11. In combination in l a banding machine, means for supplyinga pair ofbands along converging paths, a conveyor for moving a plurality ofarticles toward a point of sealing between said bands, means adapted tomove said articles from said conveyor to said point of sealing, asealing assembly, and means for moving the assembly to cause itto carryone of said bands substantially 'for moving said blade outjof saidhousingto a for placing said articles and retaining them for v apredetermined time interval at a point or band attachment, said meansincluding parts adapted to talre said articles from their conveyor andto move them to and hold them at the point oi alttachment, bandattaching means including an assembly, and means tor raising andlowering the assembly and for causing it to move one oi said bandssubstantially about one of said articles and to attach one of said bandsto the other band, said assembly including heating means, means forperforating said bands, and means for cutting said bands, and drivingmeans adapted to move said assembly toward and from the point ofattachment, said perforating and cutting means being movable within saidassembly, and members for coninolling the movement of said perforatingand cutting means, said controlling means including parts adapted tocause saidv perforating and cutting means, at a predetermined time, tomake an increased movement whereby the bands are cut, and conveyingmeans for moving the banded articles progressively in a step by stepmovement away from the point of attachment.

it. In combination in a banding machine,

means for supplying a pair of bands along converging paths, a conveyorfor moving a plurality of articles toward a point of sealing betweensaid bands, means adapted to move said articles irom said conveyor tosaid point of sealing, a sealing assembly, and means, for moving theassembly greater or less degree, said blade shaped, when moved a limiteddistance" out of said housing, to perforate said bands-and when moved agreater distance out of said housing to sever said bands, said blademounted to move with said housing, there being additional means formoving said blade with respect to said housing, and means forcontrolling the movement of saidblade ,with respect to said housing.

12.111 combination in a banding machine,

means'for supplying a pair of bands along 00% verging paths, a conveyorfor moving a plurality of articles toward a point of sealing betweensaid bands, means adapted to move said articles from said conveyor tosaid point of sealing, a sealing assembly, and means for moving theassembly to cause it to carry one of said bands substantially about oneof said articles, said sealing assembly including a housing, a bladetherein and means for moving said blade out of said housing to a greateror less degree, saidblade shaped, when moved a, limited distance out ofsaid housing-to perforate said bands and -when moved a greater distanceout of said housing to sever said bands, said blade mounted to move withsaid housing, there being additional means for moving said blade withrespect to said housing, and means for controlling the movement of saidblade with. respect to said housing, said means including control partsand means for adjusting them to a predetermined position whereby theblade is caused to move out of the housing its maximum distance atpredetermined variable intervals and whereby the blade is caused to movea minimum distance out of said housing with each move ment of thehousing.

13. In combination in a banding machine, means for supplying a pair ofbands along converging paths, a conveyor for moving a plurality ofarticles toward a point of sealing between said bands, means adapted tomove said articles from said conveyor to said point of sealing and toposition and hold them between the bands at said point of scaling for apredetermined interval, a sealing assembly, and means for moving the915-,- sembly to cause it to carry one of said bands substantially aboutone of said articles, said sealing assembly including a housing, a bladetherein and means for moving said blade out of said housing to a greateror lessdegree, said blade mounted to move with, said housing, therebeing,

said conveyor to said point of sealing and to position and hold thembetween the bands at said point of scaling for a predetermined interval,a

sealing assembly, and means for moving the as;- sembly to engage one ofsaid bands and to carry one of said bands substantially about one ofsaid articles, said sealing assembly includingda housing, a bladetherein and means for moving said blade out of said housing to a greateror less degree, said blade mounted to move with said housing, therebeing additional means for moving position and hold them between thebands at said' point of sealing for a predetermined interval, a sealingassembly, and means for moving the assembly to cause it to engage one ofsaid bands and to carry one of said bands substantially about one ofsaid articles, and guiding means for retaining one of said bands ingenerally fiat positio with respect to the other of said bands, saidsealing assembly including a housing, a blade therein and means formoving said blade out of said housing to a greater or less degree, saidblade mounted to move with said aa-zao av sembly to cause it to engageone of said bands and .to carry one of said bands substantially aboutone of said articles, said articles being arranged transversely of saidbands, and guiding means for retaining one of said bands in generallyflat position with respect to the other of said bands, said sealingassembly including a housing, a blade therein and means for moving saidblade out of said housing to a greater or less degree, said bladeshaped, when moved a limited distance out of said housing, to perforatesaid bands and when moved a greater distance out of said housing tosever said bands, said blademounted to move with said housing, therebeing additional means for moving said blade with respect to saidhousing, and means for controlling the movement of said blade withrespect to said housing, said means including control Parts and meansfor adjusting them to a predetermined position whereby the blade iscaused to move out of the housing its maximum distance at predeterminedvariable intervals and whereby the blade is caused to move a minimumdistance out of said housing with each movement of the housing.

18. In a machine for banding articles, means for supplying a pair ofbands along converging paths, means for feeding a plurality of articlestoward a point of connection between said bands,

housing, there being additional means for moving said blade with respectto said housing.

16. In combination in a banding machine, means for supplying a pair ofbands along converging paths, a conveyor for moving a plurality ofarticlestoward a point of sealing between said bands, means adapted tomove said articles from said conveyor to said point of sealing and toposition and hold them between the bands at said point of scaling for apredetermined interval, a sealing assembly, and means for moving theassembly to cause it to engage one of said bands and to carry one ofsaid bands substantially about one of said articles, and guiding meansfor retaining one of said bands in generally flat position with respectto the other of said bands, said sealing assembly including a housing, ablade therein and means for moving said blade out of said housing to agreater or less degree, said blade shaped, when moved a limited distanceout of said housing, to perforate said bands and when moved a greaterdistance out of said housing to sever said bands, said blade mounted tomove with said housing, there being additional means for moving saidblade with respect to said housing, and means for controlling themovement of said blade with respect to said housing, said meansincluding control parts and means for adjusting them to a predeterminedposition whereby the blade is caused to move out of the housing itsmaximum distance at predetermined variable intervals and whereby theblade is caused to move a minimum distance out of said housing with eachmovement of the housing.

17. In combination in a banding machine, means for supplying a pair ofbands along converging paths, a conveyor for moving a plurality ofarticles toward a point of sealing between said bands, means adapted tomove said articles from said conveyor to said point of sealing and toposition and hold them between the bands at said point of sealing for apredetermined interval, a sealing assembly, and means for moving the asapair of laterally spaced hooks adapted to engage with each article atopposite sides of the portion to be banded and move the article fromsaid feeding means to said point of connection, a band fastening headoperable between the hooks on interposed portions of both bands forsecuring them together, and means for'moving the hooks and bandfastening head in timed sequence to each other.

19. In a machine for banding articles, means for supplying a pair ofbandsalong converging paths, means for feeding a plurality of articlestoward a point of connection between said bands,,a pair of laterallyspaced hooks adapted to engage with each article at opposite sides ofthe portion to be banded and move the article from said feeding means tosaid point of connection, a band wrapping blade operable between thehooks against one of the bands to wrap that band about a portion of thearticle, a band fastening head operable between the hooks on interposedportions of both bands for securing them together; and means for movingthe hooks, band wrapping blade and band fastening head'in timed sequenceto each other.

20. In a machine for banding articles, means for supplying bandingmaterial, a chain conveyor for moving articles toward a point at whichportions of the banding material are connected together about eacharticle, a pair of laterally spaced transfer plates on which eacharticle is deposited by the conveyor with the end portions of thearticle resting on the plates, a pair of laterally spaced hooks adaptedto engage with each article at opposite sides of the portion to bebanded and slide the article along said plates to said point ofconnection, a platen between the transfer plates, a fastening headoperable between the hooks against the platen on interposed portions ofthe banding material for connecting said portions together, and meansfor moving the conveyor, hooks and fastening head in timed sequence toeach other.

' EDWARD C. SLOAN.

